Known as “biohybrids”, they are biological cells that have been engineered with magnetic particles which allow them to be guided around the body.

Professor Li Zhang, an engineer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said: “Rather than fabricate a functional microrobot from scratch using intricate laboratory techniques and processes, we set out to directly engineer smart materials in nature.” The robots are made from spirulina algae, which is usually used as a health food product.

Professor Zhang also told how the biohybrid bots have a naturally fluorescent biological interior and magnetic iron-oxide exterior that makes them easy to control.

In tests, scientists were able to control the robots remotely using magnetism as they moved them to sites inside rats’ stomachs.

Most read in news

SNOW ALERT

Snow-ice warning for all of Ireland as Ulster and Connacht to be worst hit